January 31: What Happened on This Day in History

• 2022: Sue Gray, a senior civil servant in the United Kingdom, released an initial version of her investigative report examining potential COVID-19 lockdown breaches at Downing Street, known as the 'Partygate' scandal.
• 2019: American singer Mariah Carey performed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, sparking controversy among women's rights activists who urged her to cancel the concert in light of ongoing human rights concerns.
• 2009: Johanna Sigurdardottir is named new interim prime minister of Iceland by the country's coalition political parties, marking a significant moment in Icelandic political history.
• 2007: Lee Bergere, a notable American actor who was born in 1924, passed away on this date.
• 2005: The high-profile child molestation trial of superstar Michael Jackson commences in Santa Maria, California, drawing significant media attention and public scrutiny.
• 2003: The Chicago White Sox announced a 23-year naming rights agreement with U.S. Cellular, renaming Comiskey Park to U.S. Cellular Field for US$68 million. This corporate rebranding marked a significant moment in sports marketing and stadium sponsorship.
• 2001: Gordon R. Dickson, a renowned Canadian science fiction writer who significantly contributed to the genre, passed away. Born in 1923, Dickson was known for his imaginative storytelling and influential works in speculative fiction.
• 1980: On January 31, 1980, a tragic event unfolded in Guatemala City when indigenous protesters occupied the Spanish Embassy. Guatemalan security forces stormed the building, resulting in a devastating fire that killed 36-41 people, including many indigenous activists who were protesting against government repression. This incident became a significant symbol of human rights violations during Guatemala's brutal civil conflict.
• 1979: On January 31, 1979, Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping and President Jimmy Carter signed historic diplomatic agreements, officially normalizing diplomatic relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China. This landmark event marked the end of nearly three decades of diplomatic isolation and represented a significant geopolitical shift during the Cold War era, opening new channels for communication, trade, and cultural exchange between the two nations.
• 1974: McDonald's founder Ray Kroc purchased the San Diego Padres baseball team for $12 million, marking a significant moment in sports business history. This acquisition demonstrated Kroc's business acumen beyond the fast-food industry and his interest in sports ownership.

How to check someone's birthday?

If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide

January 31st marks the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.

There are 334 days remaining until the end of the year (or 335 days in case of leap years).

January 31st is the 31st day of the month of January.

What day of the week is January 31?

On January 31st, 2025 the day of the week is Friday.

Holidays and Observances on January 31

The zodiac sign associated with January 31st is Aquarius according to the Western Zodiac.

More about January 31 zodiac

What is special about the Aquarius sign?

• Aquarius personality traits and attitude
• Aquarius most and least compatible signs
• Why January born are so special